Key container



April 5, 1960 w. P. AGEEQJR KEY CONTAINER Filed July 13, 1959 lllllllllllllll Ill-INS v INVENTOR,

WILL/AM I. AGEE', JR.

United States KEY CONTAINER William P. Agee, Jr., Memphis, Tenn.

Application July 13, 1959, Serial No. 826,336

6 Claims. (Cl. 70-456) This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in container means particularly devised for holding keys, including means for the selection of desired keys for use together with the housing of the keys within the container when the same are not desired for use.

Many attempts have been heretofore made to provide containers for keys, and various approaches to the problem have been taken. These approaches have, however, proven to be inefiicient either in requiring cumbersome mechanisms for accomplishing their purposes, or in providing relatively inefiicient means for accomplishing the purpose, particularly with respect to operating adjustments that may from time to time become necessary in connection with maintaining a suitable and desirable ease and accuracy of operation.

The present invention is primarily designed to provide a thoroughly efficient, easily operable and easily maintained device for mounting and retaining keys, and providing for the simple and accurate selection of a desired key without impedance or interference from an adjacent or other key included in the overall device.

The present invention primarily contemplates the provision of an individual container or box for each of the keys which is to be included therein, this box including a new and novel block and push button arrangement for the advancement and retraction of keys to and from the confines of the container, and in which the push button and carrying block may be relatively adjustable to provide for simple maintenance problems.

In the present invention the container is provided with an elongated slot which serves as a guide for the externally positioned button of the push button arrangement, with the slot being provided with opposed lips which may be upstanding or folded over and which preferably are formed along an incline, in which the lip is thickened adjacent one of its ends, the thicker portion of the incline being at theretracted position of the push button in order frictionally to retain the push button in such retracted position and thus insure the retention of the key connected with that push button within the confines of the container, and the incline slopes downwardly toward the extended or forward position of the push button so as to facilitate the operation of the device in the extension of the key therefrom. Such a container may either be used separ..tely, or may be encased within a suitable casing formed of any desired material such as leather or the like.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide a new and novel key container means.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a key container means having a new and novel arrangement for slidably mounting and retaining a key within the container for advancement to and retraction from the extended use position.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a container for a key in which the container is provided with a slot longitudinally extending along its upper face 2,931,210 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 with a manipulating push button extending through the slot and threadedly engaged with a travelling block within the container, the block having a width substantially equal to the internal width of the container to guide the block in its travel to and from the several key positions, but with the thickness of the block being less than the depth of the container to space the block from the container upper face for freedom of use and to provide for adjustment thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a slotted container with upstanding lips along which the external button of the push button arrangement rides, and with the upstanding lips being provided with an inclined surface having its maximum height at the retracted position of the button.

A further object of the invention is to provide such a container in which such upstanding lips are additionally folded over to engage with the material of a suitable casing; and

A further ob ect of the invention is generally to improve the design, construction and efiiciency of means for containing keys.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment will be readily understood from the following specification upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a top view of an embodiment of the present invention in a container.

Fig. 2 is an end view of the device as seen in Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a cross sectional View taken as on the line III-III of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section along the line IV-IV of Fig. 1 illustrating further details of the invention.

Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to Fig. 3 of a modification in the invention.

Fig. 6 is a top view of a further modification in the invention.

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken as on the line VII-VII of Fig. 6; and

Fig. 8 is a plan view of a further modified form of the invention.

Fig. 9 is a side elevational view of a modification of the invention as shown in Fig. 1.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken as on the line XX of Fig. 9.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, in Figs. 1 to 4, inclusive, a basic form of the present invention is illustrated. There a container 11 of rectangular cross section and elongated shape is shown as housing a single key 13. As best shown in Fig. 2, at least one end 14 of the container 11 is outwardly open to permit the pasage of key 13 to and from the interior of the container. The upper face 15 of the container is provided with an elongated slot 17 which extends substantially throughout the majority of the length of upper face 15, but terminates inwardly of the opposite ends of the container.

Along the edges of slot 17 the material of container 11 is folded upwardly to provide upstanding lips 19, and as best shown in Fig. 4 the lips 19 are preferably provided with an inclined upper surface having their thickest or highest extremities adjacent to one end of container 11 remote from open end 14, at which point the key 13 is fully retracted within the container, and having their lowermost or thinnest extremities adjacent the opposite end of slot 17, a position in which the key is extended from the container.

Slidably mounted within container 11 is a block 21 which preferably extends substantially from side to side of the container and is slidable therein. It will be observed that block 21 is of a depth less than the depth of.

container 11, with the upper part of the block being spaced below upper face 15 for purposes hereinafter to be described: Block 21 is thus freely slidable to and fro -within container 11 and isguided in thissliding movement by the substantial extent of.block.:21..to the widthof the interior of the-container, being left free for this sliding'movement by the spacing of the block from the upper part of the interior of the container.

Extending through slot 17 into the interior of container his the threaded shank 23 of a push button 25. Shank 23 is threadedly engaged with a suitably threaded aperture 27 formed inblock 21 and preferably extending throughthe depth ofblock 21.. Engaged. on threaded shank 23 above block 21 is a; swivel member 29 includinga resilient hook 31,.key 13 beingloosely engaged on hook..31.for.connection to.the device.v As cantreadily be seen, button 25, which is exterior to container 11, is by itsthreadedshank 23 adjustably connected withblock 21 in. order :that thetension between the button and the blockmay be maintained easily during the use of the device.

In the retracted positionshown in Fig. 4 button 25 fr'ictionally engages with the highest portion of inclined lips 19, thus tending to retain the button in key-retracted position. When it is desired to utilize key 13 the button may be-advanced toward the .oppositeend of slot 17, being facilitated in. this advancement by the inclined surface of lips 19 thinning toward said opposite end of the slot 17, and this movement is guided by the interior width engagement of block 21 with the interior, of the container.

If a variaion in the lips 19 should occur, as for example due to excessive. wear from use of the device, button 25 and its threaded shank may very easily be tightened into the aperture 27 of block 21, reestablishing the desired tension between the members. It will be seen that'the swivel 29 may be very simply disengaged from the container by the unthreading of'shank 23 from aperture 27, and a similar or different swivel may be replaced thereon in obvious'manner.

In Fig. a variation in the structure is shown primarily consisting of the provision of a double container 11A, it being apparent from Fig. 5 that the structure hereinbefore described for container 11 has been duplicated in the two compartmentsof the double container 11A, this container having a pair of blocks 21, eachv of a width substantially equal to the internal width of the container, and each of a depth less than the depth of the respective compartments of the container in which they are housed. In each instance a button 25 isprovided for each of. the blocks engaged therewith by a shank 23 with similar adjustability as hereinbefore described with respect to the elements of container 11.

In Figs. 6 and 7 a further embodiment ofthe invention is illustrated, showing the utilization of a plurality ofcontainers 11. with an external casing 33. Inthis construction the casing 33 is open-ended to register with container open ends 14 and is arranged to provide suitable pockets for the reception of a plurality of containers 11. In this particular embodiment the upstanding lips 19 of the respective containers 11 are further deformed as at 19A to provide a folded over portion which extends outwardly from the upper extremity of the lips 19 and embraces the free edge of a. slot 35 formed in the casing 33. Thus, as is best shown in Fig. 7, the lip portions 19A extend outwardly to and overlie the material .ofcasing 33 and embrace the same, with the same arrangement as to the inclination ofthe lips previously described in connection with lips 19 being preferably maintained. Thus it will be seen that in this arrangement a plurality of containers 11 may be inserted in to suitable pockets or compartments formed in a casing 33, and the keys mounted in the containers 11 be properly retained therein. It will further be observed that the lips 19 eithenin the .formshown. in Figs...1 to..'4 inclusive or inv folded over form including the portion 19A as shown in Figs. 6 and 7 will engage against the extremity of the slot 35 in casing 33 so as to prevent the accidental removal of a container 11 from the casing.

In Fig. 8 of the drawings yet a further embodiment of the invention is illustrated, comprising a casing having a compartment 37 adapted to receive cards and other similar materials. Compartment 37 is hingedly connected with a casing member 39 which is similar to the casing 33 and includes a pair of containers 11 having upstanding lips 19 and folded over edges 19A, together with the other features'heretofore described in connection with the buttons, slots and keys. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8 the operating buttons25 are disposed interiorly of the device when it is folded up and closed.

In Figs. 9 and 10 a further embodiment of the basic invention relating to the key-holding container is disclosed; There the container is divided. into an upper portion 113 and a'lower portionl-IC, the lower portion being adapted and dimensioned to telescopically and'nestingly fit within the interior of the upper portion 11B. Preferably the lower portion 11C is provided with a projecting flange 11D, upon which flange the lower edge of the upper portion 11B seats when the devices are nested together. Preferably the upper portion 11B.along its sides is provided with inwardly projecting bosses 111 which are adapted to engage withdimples 113 formed in the side walls of portion 11C so as to ,snappingly and detachably engage the portions together. The upper face of portion 113 is longitudinally slotted and has upstanding lips similarv to the arrangement previously described for container 11. Although nofkey isshown in Figs. 9 and 10, it will be understood that akeyis to .beattached in manner similar to that heretofore described.

I claim:

1. Key container means comprising a container having an open end and housing a key in flatwise position in its interior for movement to and fro through'said open end, said container having an upper face overlying the flatwise position of the key, a slot extending longitudinally along said upper face throughout a majority of the length of said face and'communicatinginto the interior of said container, a block longitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending transversely substantially from sideto side of said container and being vertically spaced below said upper face and slot, said block having a vertical threaded faperture extending substantially therethrough, said slot includinga pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot, said lips inclining upwardly from the endofsaid slot adjacent said container openend. towardthe other end .of said slot, a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded-shankfixed to. said button and extending through said slot into.threadeden-gagement withsaid aperture adjustablyanddetachably connecting said button to said block forshift of said blockxresponsive toxshiftof said button along said lips; key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key being fastened to said key fastening means, a casing surrounding and encasing said container, said casing being slotted and the slot in the casing embracing the lips of said container slot, said lips engaging the'extremities of said casing slot to limit relative longitudinal movement between said casing and said container,

said lips including folded over portions respectively extending transversely outwardly from said lipsand overlying the edges of said casing slot.

2. Key container, means comprising a containerhaving an open end and housing a key-in-flatwise position in its interior for movement to and fro through said open end, saidcontainer having an upper face overlying the fiatwise position of the key, a slot extending longitudinally along said upperface throughouta majority of the length of said face and communicating into the interior of said-container, a ,blocklongitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending transversely substantially from side to side of said container and being vertically spaced below said upper face andslot, said block having a vertical threaded apertureextending substantially therethrough, said slot including a pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot, said lips inclining upwardly from the end of said slot adjacent said container open end toward the other end of said slot, a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded shank fixed to said button and extending through said slot into threaded engagement with said aperture adjustably and detachably connecting said button to said block for shift of said block responsive to shift of said button along said lips, key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key being fastened to said key fastening means.

3. Key container means comprising a container having an open end and housing a key in flatwise position in its interior for movement to and fro through said open end, said container having an upper face overlying the fiatwise position of the key, a slot extending longitudinally along said upper face throughout a majority of the length of said face and communicating into the interior of said container, a block longitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending transversely substantially from side to side of said container and being vertically spaced below said upper face and slot, said block having a vertical threaded aperture extending substantially therethrough, said slot including a pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot,

a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded shank fixed to said button and extending through said slot into threaded eng'agement'with' said aperture adjustably and detachably connecting said button to said block for shift of said block responsive to shift of said button along said lips, key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key being fastened to said key fastening means, a casing surrounding and encasing said container, said casing being slotted and the slot in the casing embracing the lips of said container slot, said lips engaging the extremities of said casing slot to limit relative longitu-v dinal movement between said casing and said container, said lips including folded over portions respectively extending transversely outwardly from said lips and overlying the edges of said casing slot. 4. Key container means comprising a container hav-.

ing an open end and housing a key in flatwise position in its interior for movement to and fro through said open end, said container having an upper face overlying the fiatwise position of the key, a slotextending longitudinally along said upper face throughout a majority of the length of said face and communicating into the interior of said container, a block longitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending transversely substantially from side to side of said container and being vertically spaced below said upper face and slot, said block having a vertical threaded aperture extending substantially therethrough, said slot including a pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot, a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded shank gagement with said aperture adjustably and detachably connecting said button to said block for shift of said block responsive to shift of said button along said lips, key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key being fastened to said key fastening means. I

5. Key container means comprising a container having an open end and housing a key in fiatwise position in its interior for movement to and. fro through said open end, said container having an upper face overlying the fiatwise position ofv the key, a slot extending longitudinally along said upper face throughout a majority of the length of said face and communicating into the interior of said container, a block longitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending substantially from side to side of said container, said block having a vertical threaded aperture, said slot including a pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot, a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded shank fixed to said button and extending through said slot into threaded enbutton and extending through said slot into threaded em I button to said block for gagement with said aperture connecting said button to said block for shift of said block responsive to shift of said button along said lips, key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key'being fastened to said key fastening means, a casing surrounding and encasing said container, said casing being slotted and the slot in the casing embracing the lips of said container slot, said lips engaging the extremities of said casing slot to limit relative longitudinal 'movement between said casing and said container, said lips including folded over portions respectively extending transversely outwardly from said lips and overlying the edges of said casing slot.

-6. Key container means comprising a container having-an open end 'and housing akey in flatwise position in'its'interior'for movement to and fro through said open end, said container having an upper face overlying the flatwise position of the key, a slot extending longitudinally along said upper face throughout a majority of the length of said face and interior of said container, a block longitudinally slidably mounted in said container interior, said block extending transversely substantially from side to side of said container, said block having a vertical threaded aperture, .said slot including a pair of upstanding lips extending longitudinally along said slot, a button exterior to said container slidably mounted on said lips, a threaded shank fixed to said button and extending through said slot into threaded engagement with said aperture connecting said shift of said block responsive to shift of said button along said lips, key fastening means engaging said shank above said block within said container, said key being fastened to said key fastening means.

References Cited in the file of this patent "UNITED STATES PATENTS Hudson Feb. 23, 1954 communicating 'into the i 

